Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Hypertensive disorders occur in up to 10 % of pregnancies and increase both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The most important differential diagnoses comprise pre-existing chronic hypertension, pregnancy-associated hypertension, and preeclampsia with simultaneous proteinuria. ⋯ Pre-eclampsia is defined as new or pre-existing elevated blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg in pregnancy with at least one new organ manifestation, usually proteinuria ≥ 300 mg/day or ≥ 30 mg/mmol in the protein-creatinine ratio. Thrombotic microangiopathies TTP and aHUS are altogether rare but potentially life-threatening diseases that should be clarified in case of severe or atypical courses.
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Cystic pancreatic lesions are a frequent incidental finding on ultrasound or cross sectional imaging. The incidence of pancreatic lesions experience a steady climb in recent years due to an increased number of cross sectional imaging and an increasing life expectancy. ⋯ Taking into account the increasing incidence rates of cystic pancreatic lesions a rational and economic use of diagnostics is warranted. This review provides an overview on the different types of cystic lesions, the appropriate use of diagnostics and a clinical management algorithm balancing intervention and surveillance.
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Corticosteroids have been found as useful adjunctive therapy in patients with various infections and hyperinflammation-associated disease. They are recommended in practice guidelines for patients with tuberculous and pneumococcal meningitis and patients with immune reconstitution syndrome associated with antiretroviral therapy. A new indication is severe COVID-19. Evidence from clinical trials is insufficient to allow the routine use of steroids among patients with septic shock, community-acquired pneumonia or tuberculous pericarditis.
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Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases requiring acute hospitalization and its incidence is increasing. A particular challenge is the prediction and treatment of severe cases, which only affect a minority of patients, but are associated with mortality rates of up to 30 percent. In this review, we consider the diagnostic evaluation of the disease and provide an overview of current conservative and interventional treatment strategies.
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Ductal pancreatic carcinoma is expected to become one of the most common malignant diseases worldwide in the coming decades. However, the prognosis of the disease remains very poor and has improved only slightly over the last decade. The 5-year survival rate of all patients with ductal adenocarcinoma has been increased to approximately 10 percent. ⋯ Targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors could not be established. In patients with a proven germline mutation in the BRCA gene, a therapy with the PARP inhibitor olaparib is in the approval process. This article provides an overview of differential diagnoses, meaningful diagnostics, therapeutic concepts to improve surgical treatment, possibilities of palliative chemotherapy and targeted therapy in the presence of a BRCA mutation.